No. 15 Texas downs Louisville 6-2

Luna fans 13 in complete game while Bennett notches three hits

AUSTIN, Texas – No. 15 Texas received a complete-game, 13-strikeout performance from sophomore righthander Blaire Luna and a three-hit effort by junior first baseman Lexy Bennett to down Louisville 6-2 on Thursday night in its season opener.

Luna (1-0) notched the 29th complete game of her career as she kicked off the Texas Classic with a victory. She allowed two runs on four hits, walked three and fanned 13 in 7.0 innings of work.

Louisville starter Tori Collins (0-1) suffered the loss, lasting just 2.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

The Longhorns broke a scoreless tie in the third when sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland led off the frame with a solo home run to deep left centerfield. Bennett followed Hoagland with a long-ball of her own that easily cleared 21st Street beyond the leftfield wall.

Texas added to its 2-0 lead in the fifth, using a leadoff double by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor to start the rally. A single to right center by junior catcher Amy Hooks moved Taylor to third before she came home on a wild pitch. Hooks came around to score later in the frame when sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt registered an RBI single.

Louisville got on the board in the sixth, taking advantage of a one-out single by Katie Keller to get things going. A two-run homer by Maggie Ruckenbrod shrunk the UT advantage to two.

The Horns answered in the bottom of the sixth, plating two runs to reclaim its four-run cushion. Hoagland drew a walk to start the rally and Taylor and Bennett followed with a pair of singles to load the bases. Hoagland raced home on a wild pitch before designated player Shelby Savony drew a base-loaded walk that allowed Bennett to score.

Bennett and Taylor headlined the offense as each went 3 for 4 at the plate. Bennett added two runs scored and an RBI, while Taylor scored once. Hooks posted a two-hit effort that included two walks and a run scored.